Nathan Frigo, Norman Taylor remembered

The Army on Friday identified three Fort Carson soldiers who died in Iraq on Tuesday when a roadside bomb exploded near their Humvee.

Killed were Staff Sgt. Ryan E. Haupt, 24, of Phoenix; Sgt. Norman R. Taylor III, 21, of Blythe, Calif.; and Pfc. Nathan J. Frigo, 23, of Kokomo, Ind. The three, all assigned as snipers in the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, were riding together to protect a convoy traveling between Baqouba and Balad when the bomb went off.

The deaths came days before the brigade was scheduled to begin coming home from Iraq. The first soldiers to return to Fort Carson after the brigade’s yearlong tour are due back Sunday.

Frigo and Taylor were honored at Friday night football games in their hometowns.

Frigo lettered in cross country and track at his high school in Indiana. His father, Fred Frigo, said the determination shown by the 6-foot-3-inch runner as he raced down the track at Northwestern High School was an early indication of what led him to the Army.

“He knew the risks, but he wanted to go where he was needed,” he said. “He wanted to help, and he wanted to make a difference with his life.”

Taylor appeared set on a path to become a leader in the Army even when he was in high school, said 1st Sgt. Gerald Edwards, a military instructor for a junior ROTC program in Blythe.

“He was an excellent cadet,” Edwards said, explaining how he watched Taylor rise from captain in the battalion to become its commander.

Taylor played football and wrestled at Palo Verde Valley High School before graduating in 2003. He enlisted in the Army afterward, Edwards said.

Edwards said he was stunned to hear Taylor had been killed.

“I still don’t believe it,” Edwards said. “He was more than a student to me. He was a friend.”

Dan Armstrong, who taught Frigo high school geography, said the young man stood out, but not because he was boisterous or brilliant.

“He was just a good kid,” Armstrong said. “Quiet, not on the honor roll, just an average, real good kid.”

Fred Frigo said his son joined the Army 18 months ago and opted for the infantry because he wanted to go to Iraq.

Because of his athletic prowess and marksmanship skills honed while hunting deer in Indiana, Frigo was selected to be a sniper.

His father worried about the dangers he faced in combat, but in recent days his excitement at the prospect of being reunited with his son had grown after his son called to say he’d be home soon.

“He was so close to coming home, so this hits us hard,” the elder Frigo said.

The deaths bring Fort Carson’s toll to 173 soldiers killed since the Iraq war began in 2003, including 23 from the 3rd Brigade.

Bombs have been the biggest killer of Fort Carson soldiers in Iraq, claiming 66 lives.

From the Colorado Springs Gazette

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